DIY Earl Grey Tea for Earl Grey Tea Haters (and Lovers, Too!) | The Kitchn DIY Earl Grey Tea for Earl Grey Tea Haters (and Lovers, Too!) DIY Earl Grey Tea for Earl Grey Tea Haters (and Lovers, Too!) Email Here's a fun, simple, very rewarding DIY project to help lift the January doldrums: make your own Earl Grey (or Lady Grey) tea! I can personally attest that this tea will win over even those of you who, like me, usually don't care for Earl Grey. The process itself is easy but it does offer one challenge: sourcing fresh bergamot fruit. Read on for my very simple homemade Earl Grey tea recipe. I must confess up front that I don't care for Earl Grey tea. I often find the bergamot too overpoweringly strong and flowery and will usually opt for a simple black cup whenever I can. So when a friend came over with a small stash of her homemade Earl Grey tea as a special treat, I wasn't thrilled. But politeness prevailed and I brewed us up a pot and oh my, this was a horse of a different color!

Fragrant and citrusy with just a touch of floweriness, this was indeed a special treat. A little research revealed that Earl Grey tea is often made with bergamot oil but my friend's homemade Earl Grey was made by simply mixing dried bergamot peel in with a strong black tea. It's only a working theory at this point, but I wonder if this is the key difference for me between loving and hating (well, strongly disliking) Earl Grey tea. Perhaps the dried peel is a little softer, less intense? Or maybe something happens in the distilling process to create the oil that disagrees with my tastebuds? To duplicate my friend's delicious tea, I simply removed the peel from the fruit using a vegetable peeler, cutting as closely as possible to avoid the pith. I air-dried the peels by placing them on a plate near a radiator. They were dry within 12 hours (my house is very dry). I then broke them up and added them to jars along with loose black tea. How much to add per jar? A lot depends on how fragrant your fruit and subsequent peels are.

I placed about three 1-inch-long pieces of bergamot in a small jar, figuring that someone like me would like it on the mild side. Experiment and add more or less peel, based on your tastes. Just be sure when your brew your tea that you include a peel when filling the brew basket. Any extra dried peel can be stored in a glass jar with a tight lid. To make Lady Grey, add a small strip of dried lemon peel and a few pinches of dried lavender (or the dried petals of a blue cornflower). Some further digging into bergamot revealed that it is a citrus fruit grown primarily in southern Italy. It is about the size of a small orange and is yellow when ripe. It's primarily used for its peel, from which an oil is extracted for teas, candies, and liqueur as well as perfume. Although the fruit is considered to be inedible, it can be used to make marmalade. (There is a green, leafy herb that is also called bergamot but it is not the same thing.) While bergamots are mostly from Italy, a few orchards in California are growing them.

My local grocery store is the incredibly well-stocked Berkeley Bowl, so it was no surprise when I stumbled on a bin of bergamot last weekend. But in general, these fruits will be hard to find in your average grocery store and are about to go out of season as bergamots are usually only available in December and January. So keep a sharp eye out for them, or consider ordering from one of the sources below. You can always split an order with a friend if 10 pounds seems like too much.. • Bergamot Sour Orange from Pearson Ranch ($26.00 for ten pounds.) • Bergamot from Specialty Fruit Clubs (on sale for $21.99 for 6 fruits) • An interesting article on bergamot from David Lebovitz, with many links. • Plant your own bergamot tree from Four Winds Growers , $22.00 - $40.00 each. Bergamot Extract | The Spice House &plus; Details The fresh and subtle flavor of bergamot extract is a favorite among our staff. This extract adds a tasty citrus, floral accent to ice cream, baked goods, beverages, and vinaigrettes.

It's also great in sorbets and fruit sauces, and a few drops turn standard black tea into Earl Grey. Bergamot flavored shortbread and muffins are the perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a small citrus fruit that grows mainly in Southern Italy. The fruit, made of a cross of Seville oranges and pear lemons, is sour and inedible. Bergamot is grown for the essential oil contained its peel. This oil is used in Earl Grey tea as well as various fragrances. Bergamot is not related to the herb of the same name. This extract is only for food uses. It is not recommended for external application and may cause skin irritation if applied to skin. Ingredients: Ethyl alcohol, water, bergamot oil. What is Bergamot? (with pictures) What is Bergamot? Last Modified Date: 22 December 2016 Copyright Protected: Can you see through these real-life optical illusions? Bergamot is an aromatic oil found in the peels of the fruit of the bergamot orange , a citrus tree from Italy.

The oil is used in essential oil preparations, skin care products, and as a food flavoring, most notably in Earl Gray tea. The flavor is floral and rich, with a faintly bitter or astringent flavor. The oil smells of fresh citrus, and is pale gold in color. People should be cautious when using this oil on the skin, because it tends to increase photosensitivity, and the skin may be damaged if it is exposed to excessive light. The bergamot orange, also known as Citrus bergamia, is native to Southern Asia, but was introduced to Italy, where it flourished. Attempts to cultivate it in other regions have not been nearly so successful, with Italian oranges producing the bulk of that which is commercially used. The peels of the oranges were dried and added to early flavored teas, and essence of bergamot was also extensively used in perfumes. The mild citrus scent and flavor are quite appealing to some consumers, leading to enduring demand for the orange. Ad Southern France also hosts these trees, which are small and unable to cope with extremely cold weather and frosts. The fruit itself is intensely sour, and it is often used in jams, preserves, and other sweet dishes to counterbalance the sugar.

The true value lies in the peel, which has rich deposits of oil. Dried, the peels are used in some cosmetics and foods to add scent or flavor, and the peels are also pressed when fresh to extract the essential oil, which is usually sold in concentrated form. The orange peel is also sometimes sold in a candied form, along with other citrus peels. As an essential oil, bergamot is believed to be uplifting and energizing. It is often included in essential oil mixtures which are designed to reduce stress, energize, and treat depression. It can be included in incense , used in an essential oil diffuser , or added to baths, in moderation. The oil is also included in skin care products, and like other citrus oils, it is faintly astringent and toning. Pure oil can be harsh on the skin, and it should always be diluted before being applied. Pure bergamot oil is readily available from many natural food stores and distributors of essential oils in both cold pressed and steam distilled varieties. The dried peel can be found in food specialty stores, along with candied and jellied variants.

For consumers who are concerned about sustainable farming practices, many growers offer organic alternatives to conventionally farmed bergamot. Ad anon942885 Post 8 I generally don't like to wear fragrances (I'm a guy) but I happened to get a sample of Valentino Uomo (eg for men) and actually bought a bottle! The main ingredient is Italian Bergamot. This is not an ad! turquoise Post 7 @anamur-- I live on the Mediterranean coast in Turkey and we have Bergamot orange trees here. But no one uses them! The fruit just sit on the trees and eventually dry out. It smells really good, especially the flowers in spring. But it's terribly sour and bitter and can't be eaten. We also have regular oranges here, so no one even bothers to make jam from the Bergamot oranges. It's kind of sad that they go to waste, because we also produce tea in Turkey. There might be some production of Bergamot essential oil in other towns but not the one I live in. serenesurface Aside from Italy and France, which other countries produce Bergamot?

ddljohn Post 5 I used to think that bergamot was a quality of Earl Grey tea. But I realized this can't be when I saw Earl Grey flavored green tea on the shelves of grocery stores. This is just green tea flavored with the oil of bergamot. anon279578 Post 4 Well, at least I now know why I hate Earl Grey tea! I just figured it was an acquired taste! candyquilt Post 3 @burcidi-- I can see why bergamot was recommended for the scalp. It does have qualities that can help treat scalp infections and promote hair growth. But of course, you must use the right type of natural bergamot oil that's safe for skin. I would dilute it with another safe oil and it's always a good idea to do an allergy test with it on your arm before you apply it liberally. Bergamot oil does have antiseptic properties, it prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi. So it could be beneficial in treating a scalp fungal infection for example. As far as I know bergamot oil is also a stimulant. So it could stimulate hair follicles into growing hair.

But I can't vouch for it as I've never tried it. burcidi Post 2 @burcinc-- You should! Bergamot oil is great for aromatherapy. It's especially great at fighting depression, anxiety and sadness. It's also very relaxing and helps soothe nerves. I use bergamot aromatherapy oil in the same way I use lavender. I use it in a oil candle when I'm in a bad mood or have trouble sleeping or just to make the house smell good. Bergamot oil is more expensive than lavender, but it's definitely a very unique fragrance. It's not exactly a citrus scent, it's more of a floral scent like the article said, it's also slightly spicy. An acquaintance recently told me that bergamot oil can be used on the scalp for scalp conditions and to help promote hair growth. I'm not sure if it's true, but I'd be scared to put any oil directly on my skin like that. burcinc Post 1 I'm a huge fan of Earl Grey tea. I absolutely love the aroma of it and since I've started drinking it, I don't enjoy regular black tea at all.

I had no idea that the aroma in Earl Grey comes from bergamot oranges! For some reason, the aroma of the tea has never struck me as citrus-like. And I've never seen any dried orange skin pieces in the tea and I'm sure I would have noticed since I drink loose tea. Has the technique of adding the bergamot flavor to black tea changed? Do manufacturers still mix dried peels to make Earl Grey tea? Now that I know what makes this tea smell so divine, I think I will seek out bergamot aromatherapy oil for my home. Post your comments Bergamot Tea- Flavored, Fresh, Organic Herbal Black Teas Types of Tea Bergamot Tea- Flavored, Fresh, Organic Herbal Black Teas Speaking about flavored black teas I will touch upon only more or less traditional kinds — and completely exclude a huge amount of drinks with incredibly strong flavor. These drinks (abundantly presented by Bodum, Forsman, Nadin and other trade marks) can hardly be called tea — tea leaves are used there more like a basis which holds smells well, than like the source of its own taste and flavor. Experts call such drinks ‘colognes’ or ‘compotes’.

By the way, the fact that I will not speak about ‘compotes’ does not mean that they are distasteful or low-quality. It’s just that this article is about tea. As well as many other tea things, flavored teas were first introduced in China. The Chinese flavored tea with chrysanthemums, roses, cinnamon-tree blossom, bitter orange, jasmine, and other things for two reasons. First, they wanted to get drinks with a new taste and flavor. Second, they wanted to add new gustatory and aromatic merits to tea of not very high quality — to sell it at a higher price. Often intersecting, these two reasons remain the same until nowadays. Jasmine Pouchong. Semi-fermented Taiwan tea. The most renowned Chinese ‘additive’ to tea is jasmine — and jasmine tea will be given proper consideration, of course. But — later. Because jasmine is usually added into green tea — and this article is devoted to black one. Nevertheless, speaking about black flavored teas, one cannot but touch upon Chinese tea tradition — almost all kinds of black flavored tea have Chinese origin. I will start, however, with a not very famous tea.

Or rather — not very famous in Russia, because in Europe tea flavored with vanilla is known quite well and is rather popular. There is nothing enigmatic in this blend — just black tea where vanilla flavoring (the worst case scenario) or vanilla blossoms (the best case scenario — because when they are dried, they are bright yellow in color and are very funny) are added. Despite the simplicity, the combination of black tea taste and flavor with that of vanilla is very nice — especially through cold winter nights. Such tea is better drunk from a mug, sitting with your feet in a comfortable armchair, having wrapped oneself into a traveling rug, and holding the mug in both hands — to feel tangible warmth of tea intertwine with warm notes of vanilla flavor… In our supermarkets there are several variants of vanilla: Newby Vanilla Classic, Twinings Vanilla Tea, etc. This variant is quite good, but is distinctly inferior to Sir Thomas Lipton Golden Vanilla. The latter is the kind with dried flowers in it — but I have not seen it for about five years. Almost forgot — you can add some sugar into vanilla tea — to combine sweet flavor with sweet taste. Whittard of Chelsea Orange Blossom tea.

Tea flavored with orange, in spite of its obviousness, did not gain wide fame in Russia either. Of course, one can meet orange tea in our supermarkets, but, mostly, it is teabags with some chemical flavoring and smell, which can raise the dead. The exception is Sir Thomas Lipton Orange Jaïpur. This tea is flavored with orange peels and some other orange flavoring. Still it is not ideal. Orange Blossom Teas are ideal — orange blossom imparts subtle and lovely flavor, or rather — a hint of flavor. In England such tea is often called Windsor Blend and considered a special royal blend. Orange teas are quite multi-purpose — they are good in winter as well as in summer, with snacks as well as without them. Strongly flavored orange tea (e.g. Orange Jaïpur) has a universally pleasing taste — so, almost everyone likes it. Tea flavored with orange blossom is more subtle, and, like any other refined dainty, requires some prior training. Lapsang Souchong may be already considered among famous flavored teas.

Churchill’s favorite tea, tea mentioned in one of James Bond movies, and on the whole — a drink for real men, a specific drink with specific taste and flavor. Because on the last stage of tea processing (drying), this tea is smoked with pine sawdust (cones, needles — I have met different variants). The Chinese began to have tea smoked — very probable first time they did it smoked by accident, making haste to satisfy ever-growing European demand for black tea. But the British liked this ‘spoilt’ tea — thus, the Chinese started to smoke tea on purpose. In China this smoked tea is called Zhen Shan Xiao Zhong — theoretically, if let one’s imagination loose, one may find some consonance of the Chinese name with European Lapsang Souchong — especially since the etymology of the latter is unknown. Zhen Shan Xiao Zhong — is a wonderful tea, with a very light — one may even say fine — smokiness. They say that a small amount of this tea is yearly ordered by the Royal Court of Great Britain. Maybe, Churchill drank this very tea.

Lapsang Souchong, which is available for us now (under the trade marks of Twinings, Newby and Master Team), is rather heavily smoked. For want of habit, one can easily catch notes of turpentine, ski grease, and smoked fish. More sophisticated people find notes of fire smoke and prunes. In short — it is a matter of taste and habits. Whittard of Chelsea Alligator Lapsang Souchong Tea. By the way, cigarette smokers usually like Lapsang Souchong. It also has a ‘mega version’ — Tarry Lapsang Souchong. This one is smoked so much that when brewed it makes an ash-grey froth. Naturally, any variant of this tea is drunk without sugar — unless you are a lover of sweet turpentine. Earl Grey — is undoubtedly the most famous fragrant tea. The marketing legend that accompanies it usually tells a story of Charles Grey, a British diplomat, who, for his great services (or by wicked craftiness), was given a secret recipe of tea flavoring by a Chinese grandee (there are several other legends, but this one is the most wide-spread).

Since then black tea flavored with bergamot oil has been called Earl Grey. Everything is very nice, but for one discrepancy. Bergamot does not grow in China. This citrus plant (do not confuse with a kind of pear-tree of the same name) has Italian origin. Thus, naturally, the Chinese could not possibly flavor tea with bergamot. Most likely, some Englishman, who was in China, (maybe, Charles Grey himself) tried there tea flavored with bitter orange (a traditional Chinese flavoring). Then either this man himself replaced orange by bergamot, or someone else did it — in brief, the replacement took place and immediately became overgrown with legends. For a long time, for example, a box with Earl Grey tea of R. Twining and Co Ltd. had an inscription that the tea was blended according to the Greys’ family recipe. Other companies wrote other stories — but they all were connected with the name of Charles Grey. In one case, he spilled (either accidentally or on purpose) bergamot oil on tea of poor quality, in another case, he schemed against Chinese tea supplies, because he had interest in Indian tea plantations — in a word, he managed to be everywhere.

However, all these historical tea investigations are fine until they get boring — that’s why, enough history, let’s get back to tea. Probably everyone has tried tea with bergamot — so, it is unnecessary to speak about its taste and flavor. I’ll just point out some details. First of all, and this is true for all other flavored teas, bergamot flavoring should be mild and not suppress the flavor and taste of tea itself (Ahmad Earl Grey, for example, has too much of bergamot). Second, Earl Grey is a classical evening or afternoon tea. It is usually drunk without sugar, and with light snacks. Third, besides Earl Grey proper, there are several derivatives of this tea, where bergamot flavoring is not that strong — and these derivatives may be very nice (e.g. Ahmad Royal Blend). As well as other flavored teas, Earl Grey quickly palls — even if its first draught delights you immensely. Therefore I have not drunk Earl Grey properly for two years, maybe; hence, I cannot really evaluate those Earl Greys that are available in our shops. Two years ago I liked Twinings Earl Grey most of all.

By the way, Twinings Company produces a ‘pair-tea’ for Earl Grey– Lady Grey Tea. Besides bergamot, it is flavored with lemon and orange peels and cornflower petals — which are almost unnoticeable in the brewed tea, but among dry tea-leaves they ‘blue’ very lovely. Anyway, Ladies of all ages like Twinings Lady Grey (and similar Sir Thomas Lipton Russian Earl Grey) — so, if you want to please your mother or impress a lady — go ahead, tea stands are waiting. Denis Shumakov Best Earl Grey Tea Best Earl Grey Tea Share this! Ever since I went to Iceland this past spring I have been obsessed with finding the best earl grey tea. You may not have previously associated earl grey tea and Iceland, but you also may not have had the good fortune of spending time with herbalist Anna Rósa grasalæknir . She was an incredible hostess and she also kindled my appreciation for a good cup of earl grey tea. My obsession with the best earl grey tea has led me to try several companies in search of that perfect cup. But one day I got to thinking… could I make my own earl grey tea recipe?

Anna Rósa in a field of angelica in Iceland What Is Earl Grey Tea? Earl grey tea is black tea that has been flavored with the citrus fruit bergamot (Citrus bergamia) that comes to us from Italy and other mediterranean areas. Originally the tea may have been mixed with the actual bergamot peels. These days most earl grey is made by mixing the essential oil of bergamot with black tea . Sounded easy enough to me! It took a few experiments but I was finally able to make what I consider to be the best earl grey tea recipe. By making my own I can create one that is strong enough to suit my tastes. Keep in mind that if you try this recipe you could make it more or less strong depending on the amount of bergamot essential oil you use. Making your own earl grey tea from scratch certainly isn’t as simple as asking the food replicator for tea; earl grey, hot. However, it does mean that you can source the highest quality ingredients from fair trade sources to make your own amazing cup of tea. Below I have two recipes so that you can make the best earl grey tea.

Standard Earl Grey Tea Recipe This is a simple way to make your own earl grey tea. By buying high quality ingredients and being able to choose the strength of your bergamot flavor, you'll be able to create your favorite earl grey tea. What you’ll need… 10 -15 drops of bergamot essential oil pint jar Pour 10 -15 drops of the bergamot essential oil into a pint jar. Put a lid on the jar and shake well to distribute the essential oil all over the inside of the glass. Pour in the tea leaves. Shake well for several minutes. This tea blend can be made into tea immediately but I like to let mine cure for a couple of days to let the essential oils be absorbed. Over time the essential oils will fade and the tea will degrade. I recommend drinking this within six months, but it won't spoil or go bad, it will just weaken. Rosalee's Earl Grey Tea Blend Recipe The above recipe is for your standard earl grey. The following recipe is how I personally like to make my own earl grey tea. The vanilla and the smokey lapsang souchong add a more complex flavor while the cornflowers make it look pretty.

Do you have your own favorite early grey tea blend? Share it with us here ! What you’ll need… 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean powder pint jar Pour 10 -15 drops of the bergamot essential oil into a pint jar. Put a lid on the jar and shake well to distribute the essential oil all over the inside of the glass. Pour in the teas, cornflowers and vanilla. Shake well for several minutes. This tea blend can be made into tea immediately but I like to let mine cure for three days to let the essential oils be absorbed. Over time the essential oils will fade and the tea will degrade. I recommend drinking this within six months, but it won't spoil or go bad, it will just weaken. Tips On Brewing Your Earl Grey Loose Tea When brewing a single cup of tea I use a metal tea strainer that I bought from Mountain Rose Herbs. You can also use specialty tea cups with strainers, bamboo strainers or even paper strainers. Check out a bunch of different tea accessories from Mountain Rose Herbs here . Using the links found on my site to purchase products from Mountain Rose Herbs supports the free information on this site. Thank you!

To brew: Use a rounded teaspoon of your earl grey mixture to every 8 oz of water. Steep covered for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you prefer your tea. When done, strain off the tea and add milk or cream and honey or sugar as preferred. A Word On Using Essential Oils Internally I know a few people are going to comment that it is unsafe to use essential oils internally. This simply isn’t true. In fact, you probably consume essential oils in foods (with no ill effects) without even knowing it. That being said, I recommend a lot of caution when using essential oils internally. Here are some guidelines. 1. You want to use pure essential oils from a reputable company. I buy mine from Mountain Rose Herbs . There are other great companies out there too but you’ll need to do some research if you decide to branch out. At all costs avoid buying essential oils from unethical Multi-Level-Marketing companies. Besides making me cringe at their horrible marketing practices their oils have been shown to have synthetic ingredients. ( See more about this issue here .) 2. Do not put essential oils into water and then drink that water.

Oils and water don’t mix, which means instead of getting a diluted mixture of essential oils you’ll get pure essential oils on your sensitive mucus membranes. This can cause serious problems. When searching on the internet to see if people made their own earl grey teas I found numerous articles with instructions to make your black tea then add bergamot essential oil to the water. Yikes! Don’t do this. 3. If you are still uncomfortable using essential oils internally then this is not the recipe for you. I would also caution you to avoid earl grey tea since most earl grey on the market is made using essential oils. Further Resources There’s lots to know about using essential oils internally and this article is in no way a tutorial on this vast and complex subject. For more information I recommend the following sources. What is Earl Grey? What is Earl Grey Tea? What is Earl Grey Tea? Just like cookie dough goes with vanilla ice cream, peanut butter goes with chocolate, and lime goes with tequila, bergamot goes with black tea to create one of the world’s most beloved teas: Earl Grey. Earl Grey tea, believe it or not, is not its own category of tea. It falls into the category of flavored teas.

Flavored teas include any type of tea—white, green, oolong, black—that has been scented or flavored with fruit, flowers, spices, oils, extracts, and natural or artificial flavors. Earl Grey is one of the most recognized flavored teas in the world. This quintessentially British tea is typically a black tea base flavored with oil from the rind of bergamot orange, a citrus fruit with the appearance and flavor somewhere between an orange and a lemon with a little grapefruit and lime thrown in. Today’s cultivar of the bergamot orange is believed to be a hybrid of the bitter Seville orange native to the Mediterranean and a sweet lime/lemon native to Southeast Asia. So how did England and the rest of the world come to fall in love with this citrus and floral infused black tea? Earl Grey origins While Earl Grey tea was popularized by the English, it was not an English invention. Scented and flavored teas are uniquely Chinese. Early Chinese tea masters constantly experimented with ways to make their teas more exotic, not only to capture the attention of the reigning emperors of the time but also the business of worldwide trade merchants looking to return home with the unique flavors of the Far East.

From fragrant jasmine flowers and wild rosebuds to bitter oranges and sweet lychee fruits, Chinese tea masters infused all kinds of fragrance and flavor into their teas during processing to create distinctive and highly drinkable beverages. One history of the origins of Earl Grey explains that a Chinese mandarin tea master blended the first Earl Grey tea as a gift for Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1830 to 1834. According to the Grey family, the tea master used bergamot as a flavoring to offset the lime flavor in the well water on Earl Grey’s estate, Howick Hall, near Newcastle, England. Earl Grey’s wife, Lady Grey, loved the tea so much that she entertained with it exclusively. It proved so popular with London society, she asked tea merchants in London to recreate it. Exactly which English tea merchant marketed the first Earl Grey tea blend is somewhat of a debate in the world of tea. But one thing is for sure: While the 2nd Earl of Grey abolished slavery and reformed child labor laws in England during his political leadership, he will be most famously remembered for the beloved tea he helped introduce to the world.

How Earl Grey is made A tea is flavored or scented during manufacturing toward the end of the processing, usually once the tea leaves have dried. One way teas are flavored is by blending the finished tea with flowers, herbs and spices so that the blended ingredients are visually appealing and lightly infuse the tea leaves with their aroma and flavor. Another way tea is flavored is by spraying or coated the finished tea with extracts, essential oils or flavoring agents during or after the drying process. This adds much a much stronger flavor to the tea and uses fewer ingredients. The flavoring-to-tea ratio is completely up to the tea manufacturer, and the flavors that come through to a brewed cup of flavored tea will vary by brand. Earl Grey is most widely defined as a black tea that has been flavored with the oil of bergamot. There is no one way to make Earl Grey tea, however, which is why every Earl Grey tea you’ve ever tried has probably tasted slightly different. Some of the most significant variables in how Earl Grey tea is made include: Type of tea used: The classic Earl Grey tea is made with a base of black tea leaves. But the black tea used can be anything from Ceylon to Indian to African.

It can be a single estate black tea or a blend of black teas from around the world. The black tea flavor can be sweet and floral or rich and malty. It depends completely on the terroir (the characteristics of the geography, climate and culture) of the tea plant and the processing style of the tea master. Type of bergamot used: Both synthetic and natural bergamot is used to flavor Earl Grey tea. Synthetic bergamot is popular with manufacturers because its flavor is consistent and it contains no actual citrus, so it is safe to consume for those with citrus allergies. The flavor of natural bergamot can vary immensely depending on where it was cultivated and how it was processed. Natural bergamot is often defined as a sharp and intensely citrus flavor. Calabria, in Southern Italy, is home to 80% of the commercially grown bergamot, followed by France and Turkey. Amount of bergamot used: The art and style of the tea master will define not only which type but also how much bergamot is used in a particular Earl Grey blend.

Depending on the flavor of the base tea, a tea master may decide to use a subtle amount of bergamot flavor so as not to cover up the delicate flavor of the tea leaves. Or a tea master may decide to give a bold, sharp black tea a hefty kick of bergamot to stand up to the bold flavor profile of the tea leaves. Black Tea Processing: Withering → Rolling → Oxidation → Firing Our black tea is rolled immediately after withering to help get the oxidation processes started quickly. The leaves are then fully oxidized before they are dried, which is how they get their dark color and rich flavor. For more information about tea processing, visit our How is Tea Made? page. Tasting Earl Grey There is something about the sweet, floral, sour and bitter flavor profile of bergamot that blends perfectly with a bold, full-bodied and malty black tea. For some, a flavored black tea is more palatable to sip, hiding some of the astringent or bitter notes that may come through in the steeped tea leaves. For others, a flavored tea is simply a more interesting, exotic and fun way to explore a range of tea flavor profiles.

Teatulia’s Earl Grey tea is inspired by the traditional Earl Grey, but it has a delightful lightness and freshness to it. We use one of the finest oils of bergamot, so a mild citrus note hits gently on the center of the palate and seamlessly melds into the satisfying, full-bodied maltiness of our organic black tea. Just as we have created our own inspired take on Earl Grey tea, various regions of the world as well as many tea marketers have adapted their own versions of Earl Grey, some of which move away from the traditional black tea base. Some of the more well known variations include: The English are fans of flavored teas and blended Chinese Lapsang Souchong black tea with Earl Grey for a smoky version. Lady Gray is an Earl Grey blend that is said to be more subtle and more floral than a traditional Earl Grey, but most manufacturers marketing this blend have different approaches. The French add their beloved lavender to Earl Grey for a distinctively Parisian version. Earl Green is blended using green tea instead of black. Rooibos Earl Grey features the South African red rooibos herb, typically marketed as red tea, flavored with bergamot.

Earl Grey tea lovers looking for caffeine-free options gravitate toward this blend. The unique flavor of Earl Grey is so beloved that it has lately leapt out of the teacup and into all kinds of culinary treats, from marshmallows to chocolate to cookies. One of our favorite tea-inspired treats our Earl of Bengal Cookies, made with Teatulia’s Earl Grey tea. Click here for the recipe. Caffeine content in Earl Grey The caffeine content in an Earl Grey made with a black tea base will be similar to any other cup of black tea. Like any beverage brewed from a caffeinated plant, however, there are a lot of factors that can determine caffeine levels in your cup of Earl Grey black tea, including how the plant was processed and how the beverage was brewed. Between coffee, black tea and green tea, coffee generally has the most caffeine content per 8 oz. cup (95 to 200 mg), then black tea (14 to 61 mg), followed by green tea (24 to 40 mg). Buying and storing Earl Grey As with any green or black tea, storing a flavored tea properly will ensure your tea will remain fresh as long as possible in your cabinet.

It’s always a good idea to buy tea from a reputable company that can tell you when and how the tea was processed and packaged as well as provide storage and freshness tips. Generally, an oxidized black tea is more shelf stable than its delicate green tea cousin. But teas that have been flavored have a shorter shelf life than a straight black tea. While your flavored tea won’t really go “bad”, it will get stale if it sits around too long and it will definitely lose its flavor potency. If stored properly in a cool, dark place and in an opaque, airtight container away from light, moisture and pantry items like coffee and spices that can leach flavor into the tea leaves, flavored teas can last six months to a year before they should be used or replaced. For more information about how to best care for your tea, visit our How to Store Tea page. Preparing Earl Grey Always ask your tea vendor for brewing instructions specific to the tea you purchased, because flavored teas can have different ideal brewing temperatures and steeping times. Here are a few general Earl Grey tea brewing tips to keep in mind: Use fresh, pure, cold filtered water. Spring water is the best.

If your Earl Grey has a black tea base, it can typically brewed for longer periods of time and in hotter temperatures than flavored teas with a green tea base. Generally, this is somewhere between 200 and 212 degrees. We steep our Teatulia Earl Grey tea for 2 to 3 minutes. If you don’t have an electric kettle with temperature control, just remember that at sea level water simmers at 190 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. The boiling temperature drops about a degree for every 100 feet in altitude increase. So, generally, somewhere just off a rolling boil should be perfect for brewing a flavored black tea. If your Earl Grey tea came with specific recommendations for brewing, use those. But using about 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8 oz. cup of water is a safe bet. Cover your Earl Grey tea while it steeps to keep all the heat in the steeping vessel. Avoid oversteeping your flavored tea. The longer your tea steeps, the stronger the added flavor becomes and the more quickly the tea leaves will release any of their bitterness and astringency.

Taste your tea after the recommended steeping time and then decide if you’d like it to steep a little longer. Many high-quality, loose leaf Earl Grey teas can be steeped multiple times to yield several cups of tea. Most Earl Grey teas are meant to stand up to milk and sugar per the popular English teatime traditions. But for a true education in the flavor differences between the many varieties of Earl Grey, try sipping it plain with no additives. Backyard Patch Herbal Blog: Bergamot / Bee Balm - Herb of the Week Backyard Patch Herbal Blog I'm Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh growing herbs is a passion I've had for more than 20 years now. The Backyard Patch is my own herb business started in 1995. I specialize in fresh, amazing, organic blended herbs. Those for cooking, tea and bath -- and they are all home-grown and hand-blended. In the last 20 years I have gained a knowledge of herbs and their flavors that I share here.

Pages Bergamot / Bee Balm - Herb of the Week A truly American herb, also known as Oswego tea or bee balm, bergamot (Monarda Didyma) is this week's Herb of the Week Grown and used by Native Americans as a popular tea for both its taste and medicinal properties, Bergamot originally grew in parts of Western New York but now the plant is cultivated in Europe after seeds were sent over in the 1700s by John Bartam. In Europe and England the common name is Golden Melissa or Indian nettle. Although these perennials are used to adorn gardens, because hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted to the fragrance and nectar, the leaves are popularly dried to prepare bergamot tea. In fact, Native American bergamot tea drinkers shared this delectable tea with colonial settlers, who then used it as a substitute when imported tea became scarce after the Boston tea party. It is known by so many names that it is best to search for it by scientific name Monarda Didyma or just Monarda, but when asking for the plant remember if they do not know Bergamot, ask for Bee Balm the most common name used.

To Grow Bergamot is identified by its sturdy, square stems shooting to a height of four feet with simple leaves. The leaves are crowned with glorious pink, purple, white or bright red colored flowers. The flowers have petals shaped as spikes, which is what makes them uniquely beautiful. Known as herbaceous perennial, Bergamot has a non-woody stem and will survive the winter, even thought its growth above the ground dies. The Bergamot plant is indigenous to eastern North America . It grows in early to late summer and attains a height of 2-4 feet. This plant requires good sunshine and grows well under a full sun. It requires moist and well-drained soil for growth. The leaves and even flowers of the Bergamot are used to make tea. This plant belongs to the mint family and its blooms and leaves have a minty fragrance. The plant grows and spreads fast, so it requires lots of space to grow. For proper Bergamot planting, place in an area where there is partial to full sunshine and good air circulation. The Bergamot should be planted in spring or fall and space of at least 1 to 2 feet should be maintained between each plant, because it spreads very fast.

A 12 to 15 inch deep hole should be dug for planting. Mix some compost with the soil removed, then place the plant in the hole, cover lightly with soil and water enough to moisten the soil. Do not over water. Use the 10-10-10 garden fertilizers in small amounts to nourish the plant, if needed. It is important to provide the Bergamot with plenty of space to grow and spread. It can self-seed and spread by underground stems, like any good Mint. Being from the mint family it is invasive and will spread to occupy every little space nearby. Many people plant it in the landscape in areas where other plants do not grow well so it will fill in a sparse landscape. It is therefore important that the plants be divided every few years, in the spring, in order to prevent them from forming an entangled mess. Apply a layer of compost each spring along with a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture. In the fall, prune the plant down to an inch or two above the ground. While growing Bee Balm, remember that it needs to be protected from powdery mildew.

In case it succumbs to powdery mildew, then trim the plant down to the ground surface. Deadheading can also be done to cause the plant to re-bloom. Deadheading means removing the spent flowers so as to promote fresh flowering. Bergamot starts flowering from July and continues until late fall. In this period, pruning and trimming is very important to facilitate healthy flowering. Clean off the dead flowers and dried leaves regularly. Once the growth of the plant starts to slow down, cut the plants back to ground almost to 6 inches. Bergamot can be grown in ordinary garden soil or clay soils. But it has been observed that they thrive better in dry alkaline soil. Sunlight is a must to facilitate healthy growth of the plant. Using mulch is recommended as it helps in retaining moisture in the soil thereby preventing soil and reduces the need for watering. If you want to grow Bergamot in a container, you can prepare a well-drained soil mixture for them to grow in. A mixture of perlite, peat moss, dry compost, vermiculite and some manure for nutrition will be perfect. Select a place in your garden for the container where there is full sun or partial shade.

Bergamot is very susceptible to powdery mildew, especially the original purple varieties which I believe are the wild versions (M. fistulosa) closest to the Oswego Tea of the Native Americans. It does have geranoil which helps prevent tooth decay. But with 30 different Bergamot cultivars available now, you can find those that are resistant to powdery mildew. ‘ Marshall ’s Delight’ which is deep pink, and ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ are disease resistant. If you have a dry, warm climate choose ‘Adam’ which is white or ‘Blue Stocking’ which is violet. If you, like me, enjoy a lemon flavor, look for Monarda citrodora, lemon bergamot. If you like something out of the ordinary try Monarda punctata sometimes called spotted bee balm or horsebalm. It is high in antiseptic compounds and has whorls of cream-colored flowers spotted with purple. To Use Apart from their aesthetic value, the Bergamot leaves and flowers are used to make tea. The fragrant oil of the Bergamot is used to treat skin eruptions, rashes and infections.

It can also be used for relief from fever, nausea, headaches and sore throat. Also, the pulverized leaves of the plant are used to treat bee stings. That is where the common name Bee balm comes from. Tea can be made from fresh as well as dried leaves. Bergamot tea has even been used to preserve meats and as perfume. The leaves of bergamot have been used to brew tea for the past 1000 years. the essential oil is use to flavor Earl Grey tea, so when you drink a bergamot tea you will recognize the flavor as being a kin. Oswego tea, as the natural brew is known, aids in calming down jittery nerves. Herbs like valerian and chamomile are also added to this tea to increase the relaxation effect. Oswego tea is believed to be an appetizing agent that aids in curing digestion disorders. It can also palliate cramps during menstruation and reduce nausea. Bergamot tea is also great for combating fevers and chills and also increasing urine output.

Since this herbal tea contains the aromatic antiseptic thymol (the oil in thyme that kills germs), it is commonly used by dentists and modern medical practitioners.Therapeutic baths also use bergamot leaves as it is an aromatic herbaceous plant. Just pluck a handful of leaves and tie them in a cloth. Place it in your hot water bath and enjoy the scented water! At times, breathing in the aromatic steam of bergamot leaves aids in relieving throat afflictions like cough and sore throat. Ointments made of bergamot are also used for healing minor insect stings, cold sores and acne. In cooking, bergamot is used as a pot herb for seasoning and flavoring food items. it is especially good with sweet dishes like fruits and salads, but is also good in sauces and rubs for meats and poultry. The flowers are edible and used for garnishing yummy vegetable salads! Recipes Bergamot Tea Preparing bergamot tea is quite simple. Just take a cup of boiling water and pour it onto the bergamot herb. The tea can be prepared from the fresh form, dried form or even the seeds of the herb. Depending on the form used, the recipe will vary slightly.

If you are using the fresh plant material, one needs to add ¼ cup of the fresh material to a cup of boiling water and allow it to stand for 5 minutes before straining and drinking it. For all the forms the procedure is the same, with the only difference lying in the quantity of herb form added. If you are using the dried leaves or seeds, add only 2 teaspoons of the herb. For leaves steeep 5 minutes for seeds, steep 10 minutes. To enhance the flavor of bergamot tea add honey or fresh lemon juice to the tea. Cautions: People with menstrual disorders should not drink this tea. Even pregnant women should keep away from this tea. Bergamot tea should not be consumed continuously. always give your body a break from this tea. Have it for 8-10 days, then stop having it for one week, then resume. However, if you are drinking it to treat cold, flu, sinusitis, etc. you can have it three times a day, but not beyond four days. Having it in moderate amounts will help your body.

Bee Balm Fruit Salad Organic Earl Grey Organic Earl Grey view description Twinings Earl Grey Tea, K-Cup Portion Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers, 24-Count24-Count of Twinings Earl Grey TeaA light and aromatic blend of fine black tea, scented with bergamot, a citrus fruitDelivers a unique floral aroma and refreshing tasteThis classic blend was especially made for Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, Prime Minister of EnglandIngredients: Black Tea, Bergamot Flavoring view description Twinings Earl Grey 24-Count of Twinings Earl Grey Tea A light and aromatic blend of fine black tea, scented with bergamot, a citrus fruit Delivers a unique floral aroma and refreshing taste This classic blend was especially made for Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, Prime Minister of England view description For many years, Stash Earl Grey Tea has been a favorite of tea lovers. Many people seem to love the careful balance of citrusy oil of bergamot and the blend of fine black teas which our Earl Grey blend is famous for. Certain Earl Grey fanatics have grown especially fond of the top grade Calabrian oil of bergamot that we use and have asked for more,.

..More,. .. MORE! Thus Stash Double Bergamot Earl Grey was born. view description Tazo Tea, Earl Grey Tea, Tea Bags, 1.7 ounce 20 count Contains only 100% natural black teas and bergamot essenceNo artificial colors, flavors, or preservativesPerfectly balanced, with a slightly spicy lavender and lemon tasteManufactured and packaged in Canada or Italy and distributed from Portland, Oregon view description A really fine cup of tea is one of life's true pleasures. Bigelow heartily recommends Earl Grey for the enjoyment it will bring to your tea drinking. This delicately scented, aristocratic blend is an international favorite. This black tea, with natural oil of bergamot, contains approximately 30-60 milligrams of caffeine, and is gluten free and kosher. view description A Stash Tea best seller and long-time customer favorite! Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot, an oil extracted from a pear-shaped Mediterranean citrus about the size of an orange. Earl Grey brews up a beautiful amber cup with a distinctive flavor and lightly fragrant aroma. The tea leaves in Earl Grey are usually a blend of Chinese black or Indian Darjeeling teas.

Stash uses superior grades of Ceylon black tea from Sri Lanka and black teas from China for our Earl Grey. We strive for a distinctive tea flavor that is not overwhelmed by the pungent citrus, and we use only 100% pure bergamot oil, not a mixture. view description For over a century, Earl Grey has remained one of the world's most distinctive and popular specialty teas. Lightly scented with bergamot, its delicate aroma and flavor have delighted millions of tea drinkers worldwide for well over a hundred years. Now by popular demand, we are pleased to introduce Earl Grey green tea, a tea that will bring you all the benefits green tea has to offer plus the wonderful Earl Grey flavor. view description Twinings earl grey organic tea comes in 20 count tea bags. Select black tea expertly blended with the citrus fruit flavour of bergamot to deliver a refreshing tea with a unique floral aroma and distinctive taste. Twinings expert blender's source only the finest leaves cultivated to its exacting standards by trusted growers around the world.

From these tea gardens twinings hand-selects the leaves that will shape your next twinings moment.Features include: -20 tea bags of Earl Grey Organic -Organic-Fair Trade Certified-Select black tea perfectly balanced with the distinctive flavour of bergamot, a citrus fruit.-Hand-selected from the world's finest tea gardens. Made without any artificial ingredients, Twinings Organic and Fair Trade Certified? teas provide a natural and wholesome tea experience. view description Numi Organic Tea Aged Earl Grey Black Tea, 18 ct We age organic Assam black tea with real Italian Bergamot for several weeks so the tea absorbs the orange scent. Enjoy a robust (flavorings-free) Earl Grey with subtle citrus notes. The workers at this organic tea estate in Assam, India have allocated their Fair Trade funds towards a new school, cooking stoves, mosquito nets and women's self-empowerment programs.

view description Twinings Earl Grey Tea, tea bags, is fine black tea expertly blended with the citrus fruit flavor of bergamot, to deliver an uplifting tea with a unique floral aroma and refreshing taste.Features include: Fine blend of carefully selected black tea, scented with bergamotPale golden tea with a delicate citrus flavorLight and aromatic; natural source of antioxidantsHistoric blend presented to the second Earl Grey by an envoy from China view description Individual fresh pack. Tea perfectly flavored with natural bergamot. Take your favorite tea wherever you go! Bigelow's individual flavor-protecting envelopes ensure great taste and freshness. Indulge in the soothing ritual of tea. Sipped throughout the day, tea quenches, soothes, satisfies... and delivers healthful antioxidants. From the wonderful aroma that fills the air the moment it starts steeping, you'll know that Bigelow tea is like no other. To create our distinctive Earl Grey, we blend tender, hand-picked tea leaves with natural bergamot, then individually wrap our tea bags in flavor-protecting pouches to seal in its goodness. Remember, adding a cup of Bigelow tea throughout your busy day can contribute to your overall well being.

So sit back, relax and make tea time your time to refresh mind, body and spirit! Blended and packaged in the USA. view description A really fine cup of tea is one of life's true pleasures. We heartily recommend Earl Grey Decaffeinated for the enjoyment it will bring to your tea drinking. This delicately scented, aristocratic blend is an international favorite. 20 individually foil wrapped tea bags per box view description The Stash Tea Company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1972, the company derives its name from an entertaining aspect of tea folklore. In earlier centuries, tea was a valuable commodity traditionally transported by clipper ship. The ship's captain often was presented with some of the finest teas for his personal use. This supply was his "stash", stowed carefully as his "private reserve." Today, the term still is used to denote anything put away carefully because of its preciousness. Stash Premium Organic Earl Grey Black and green tea is Fair Trade certified. This tea features a blend of organic black and organic green teas with oil of bergamot. This premium blend is highly aromatic and flavorful with a hint of light citrus. It's a wonderful afternoon or after dinner tea.

Bergamot, an extract from the fruit of the small Citric bergamia tree, is grown in the southern part of Calabria, Italy. Many other Earl Grey teas use a mix of bergamot and other citrus oils, but Stash insist on 100 percent pure bergamot even though it's more expensive. Organic farming maintains ecological harmony, leaving a legacy of clean foods and healthy soil. It embraces the use of natural fertilizers, crop rotation, and other safe and natural methods. Stash Premium Organic Teas were created to meet the growing demand for organic products. We searched many years for premium quality organic teas and herbs that would meet our exacting flavor standards. We've chosen popular tea flavors for consumers who want an organic choice. Stash Tea has been committed to providing premium quality teas and an unsurpassed tea drinking experience. Stash begins with simply excellent tea leaves from the world's premier tea gardens and all natural botanical ingredients gathered from around the world. Meticulous blending and tasting of every tea ensures you will enjoy full flavor in every cup.

view description Our delicious Aged Earl Grey tea blends perfectly with cacao and real vanilla beans.Sweet bergamot orange notes harmonize with creamy vanilla and chocolate for a captivating treat. Chocolate Earl Grey is part of the new INDULGENT TEA collection of chocolate teas that celebrate the blending of two of humanity's most revered traditions - tea and cacao. It is the perfect harmony for tea and chocolate lovers looking for a guilt-free treat. Enjoy these exquisite tea blends any time of the day with milk or honey, or simply on their own. Indulge in their delightfully complex, yet subtle layers of richness. view description Thirty years ago in Salisbury, Connecticut, proprietor of the historic White Hart Inn, John Harney, developed a passion for fine teas. Starting production out of his basement in 1983, John began his own journey in mastering the craft of tea blending. Serving his distinctive blends to inn guests, he soon found they were coming back for more. Never did John Harney imagine that his small home-run business in Salisbury, Connecticut would turn into a global operation. The company, which sources, blends, and packages their own product from start to finish, has grown from their original six teas, to more than three hundred.

Harney & Sons was founded on a commitment to deliver customers the finest quality tea possible. This promise, made 30 years ago, serves as the company's guiding principle. Whether through their dedicated customer service team, their published guides to tea drinking, or their two tea tasting shops, the Harney & Sons team works to pass on their passion of tea to a wide audience. Harney & Sons remains committed to delivering their customers a superior tea drinking experience.

Question: What make of tea is flavoured with oil of bergamot
Answer: Earl Grey